Tire Volume Control via Portable Core Weighing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tire molding technologies, particularly inflatable bladder methods, are ineffective for tires with inextensible membranes, leading to undesirable rubber flow or belt distortion due to volume inconsistencies, which affects mechanical performance and vulcanization efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a portable mold core and core rotation spindle assembly for precise weighing and material addition to ensure the tire or tire tread fits snugly within a mold, using strips of compatible material to adjust volume and weight, with a multi-sensor piezoelectric load plate for accurate measurements and temperature compensation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If inflatable bladder expansion is used to accommodate volume variations, then heat and pressure transfer is improved, but rubber flow between steel cords occurs causing degradation of mechanical performance
Solution Approach 1:
The tire volume is adjusted and controlled during the building process before molding, ensuring the tire fits properly within the mold cavity. This preliminary volume control prevents rubber flow between steel cords during subsequent inflation and curing, while still allowing effective heat and pressure transfer for vulcanization.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the volume parameter of the tire by adjusting the amount of rubber material used during building. By precisely controlling the tire volume to match the mold cavity, the system eliminates harmful rubber flow while maintaining effective thermal and pressure transfer for proper vulcanization.
2Reliability
If inflatable bladder expansion is used to accommodate volume variations, then vulcanization effectiveness is improved, but belt distortion occurs due to inextensible membranes
Solution Approach 1:
The tire volume is precisely controlled during the building process before the tire is placed in the mold. This preliminary volume adjustment ensures that the tire fits within the mold cavity without exceeding the capacity of the inextensible membranes, preventing belt distortion while still allowing effective vulcanization through controlled inflation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention modifies the volume parameter of the tire by adjusting rubber material quantities during building. This parameter control ensures the tire remains within the dimensional constraints of inextensible membranes, preventing belt distortion during inflation while maintaining effective vulcanization.
3Productivity
If conventional tire building processes are used, then production efficiency is maintained, but volume inconsistencies cause mold closure issues
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements a feedback system where the tire volume is measured during the building process and adjustments are made in real-time. This feedback control ensures consistent tire volume that is compatible with mold closure, maintaining both production efficiency and manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention controls and adjusts the volume parameter of the tire during the building process by modifying rubber material quantities. This parameter control ensures consistent tire volume across production batches, enabling reliable mold closure while maintaining production efficiency.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach ensures proper vulcanization by maintaining the tire's shape and structure, preventing rubber flow and distortion, and ensuring effective heat and pressure transfer, resulting in improved mechanical performance and durability.
Implementation Method 1
a multi-sensor piezoelectric load plate for accurate measurements and temperature compensation
Implementation Method 2
the mold can be closed via conventional tire curing press technology... helping to ensure that heat and pressure can be effectively transferred to the rubber materials for proper vulcanization
Implementation Method 3
the inflatable bladder is expanded with enough pressure so that any gaps between the fixed surfaces of the mold and the outer surfaces of the tire as well as any air pockets within the tire itself are removed
Data Source
AI summary
A method for precisely controlling the volume of a product such as a tire tread or tire that is placed into a mold is provided. This method includes providing a tread or tire that is built upon a portable mold core by laying a series of layers on the portable mold core. The outer diameter of the lire tread or lire is initially built to be purposely smaller than the interior surfaced of the mold in order to prevent any interference from occurring between the mold and the tire tread once the tire tread and core are placed within the mold and the mold is closed. The weight of the tire tread or tire is measured to see if the volume of the tire tread or tire is within acceptable parameters to fit within the mold. If not, additional material is added to the tire or tire tread.